Eviction Friendly Apartments in Nashville, TN: A Strategic Housing Guide for Renters With an Eviction Record

Audience: U.S. tenants with an eviction record seeking apartments, rental homes, or alternative accommodations in Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee.

Introduction: Restarting Your Housing Search in Nashville After an Eviction

Picture this: you are navigating Nashville’s fast-moving rental market, surrounded by cranes, new developments, and rising rents, while carrying an eviction record that seems to follow you everywhere. In Music City, housing demand is high, vacancy rates are tight, and tenant screening systems are increasingly unforgiving.

Nashville and Davidson County continue to experience elevated eviction activity compared to pre-pandemic levels. Weekly eviction filings have averaged in the hundreds, with thousands of formal eviction cases filed annually. These filings represent only part of the displacement picture; informal and illegal evictions—such as lockouts, improper notices, and utility shutoffs—often go unreported.

This guide is written for renters who are rebuilding after an eviction. It takes a practical, legal, and strategic approach to finding housing in Nashville while addressing eviction history honestly and effectively.

Nashville Eviction Statistics: Legal and Illegal Evictions Explained

Understanding Nashville’s eviction environment is essential when you are applying for housing with an eviction record.

Formal Eviction Filings

• Nashville has recorded thousands of eviction filings annually, with filing rates exceeding pre-pandemic averages.
• Weekly eviction filings have averaged approximately 250–300 cases in Davidson County during peak periods.
• Many eviction filings never result in physical displacement; cases are often dismissed, settled, or resolved through payment plans.

Illegal and Informal Evictions

Illegal evictions are not reflected in court statistics but are a real concern for tenants. These include:

• Lockouts without a court order
• Changing locks or removing doors
• Utility shutoffs intended to force tenants out
• Harassment or threats to vacate without proper notice

These practices are unlawful under Tennessee landlord-tenant law, yet they still occur. Tenants who experienced informal displacement may still face screening challenges even without a formal court judgment.

How Eviction Records Affect Rental Applications in Nashville

Eviction records can appear through multiple screening channels:

• Davidson County General Sessions Court records
• Tenant screening databases used by property managers
• Credit reports if a monetary judgment was entered

Many automated screening systems treat any eviction filing as a negative outcome, even when the case was dismissed or resolved without removal. This makes it essential to understand what actually appears on your record and how to explain it.

What “Eviction Friendly” Really Means in Nashville

Eviction-friendly housing does not mean landlords ignore risk. Instead, it usually means:

• Screening decisions are made by humans rather than automated systems
• Applicants can submit explanations and supporting documents
• Income stability matters more than past housing setbacks
• Security deposits, prepaid rent, or guarantors are accepted

In Nashville, eviction-friendly opportunities are more common among smaller landlords, older apartment communities, and properties participating in housing stability initiatives.

Eviction Friendly Apartments and Rental Communities in Nashville, TN

The following rental communities are frequently explored by renters rebuilding after an eviction. Policies change, so tenants should always contact properties directly to confirm current screening criteria.

Apartment Communities

• The Grove Apartments
  420 Elmington Ave, Nashville, TN 37205
  Phone: (615) 269-5500
• 333 Apartments
  333 S Gallatin Rd, Madison, TN 37115
  Phone: (615) 865-4733
• Biltmore Place Apartments
  830 Glastonbury Rd, Nashville, TN 37219
  Phone: 1-866-403-0050
• Oakwood Flats Apartments
  2071 Oakwood Ave, Nashville, TN 37207
  Phone: (615) 598-5023
• Hickory Lake Apartments
  3940 Apache Trail, Antioch, TN 37013
  Phone: (615) 942-0124
• River Retreat Apartments
  800 Cheyenne Blvd, Madison, TN 37115
  Phone: (615) 933-6807
• Village on the Green
  2027 Ed Temple Blvd, Nashville, TN 37208
  Phone: (629) 243-6309
• Meadow Creek Apartments
  919 S Dickerson Pike, Goodlettsville, TN 37072
  Phone: (629) 210-0221
• Bellewood Park Apartments
  100 Pennington Ave, Nashville, TN 37206
  Phone: (629) 218-4650
• Cobblestone Corners Apartments
  501 Ben Allen Rd, Nashville, TN 37216
  Phone: (629) 280-2016

Important: Smaller, locally managed properties often have greater discretion than corporate-managed complexes.

Alternative Housing Options After an Eviction

If traditional apartments are difficult to secure, consider these alternatives:

• Room rentals or shared housing
• Month-to-month private rentals
• Subleases with landlord approval
• Extended-stay motels for short-term stability

These arrangements can help you rebuild rental history while maintaining housing stability.

How to Strengthen Your Rental Application After an Eviction

Create a Tenant Resume

• Recent pay stubs or bank statements
• Employment verification letter
• References from employers or prior landlords
• A written explanation of the eviction circumstances

Offer Risk Mitigation

• Higher security deposit (within legal limits)
• One to two months of prepaid rent
• A qualified co-signer or guarantor

Transparency and preparation significantly increase approval odds.

Local Eviction Help, Advocacy, and Housing Support in Nashville

Eviction Right to Counsel (ERTC) – Nashville

Address: 615 Main Street, Suite B23, Nashville, TN 37206
Phone: (615) 701-7957
Email: RTC@nashvillehispanicbar.org

Provides free legal representation and advice to income-eligible tenants facing eviction.

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands

Phone: (615) 244-6610 ext. 150
Website: https://las.org/

Offers legal assistance with eviction defense and tenant rights.

Conexión Américas

Provides housing counseling, tenant education, and eviction-related support services.

Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency (MDHA)

Phone: (615) 252-8464

Administers public housing, Housing Choice Vouchers, and affordable housing programs in Nashville.

Office of Homeless Services – Landlord Engagement

Partners with landlords willing to use modified screening criteria and low-barrier housing practices.

Federal Housing Assistance Options

Federal programs such as Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) can significantly improve approval chances by guaranteeing a portion of rent, even when eviction history exists.

Final Thoughts: Building Housing Stability After an Eviction

An eviction record does not end your housing future in Nashville. While eviction filings remain high, the city also offers strong legal protections, advocacy programs, and landlords willing to work with prepared and transparent tenants.

By combining documentation, negotiation, and official support resources, renters can move beyond eviction and secure long-term housing stability.